Integrity Focus

The ICAC charged two women last Friday (May 10) for allegedly bribing a bank employee with a wad of banknotes for opening a personal bank account.

Yu Hui, 26, executive; and Wang Jinyu, 37, live-streaming technician, jointly face one count of offering advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. The duo were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (May 14) for plea.

On April 19, 2024, Yu and Wang came to Hong Kong and visited a branch of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) in Wan Chai for opening personal bank accounts. They wished to complete the relevant procedures on the same day.

It is alleged that on the same day, the defendants offered a bribe consisting of an unspecified sum of money to an employee of HSBC for assisting Yu to open a bank account with the bank.

The bank employee immediately rejected the bribes offered by the duo and reported the matter to his supervisors immediately. ICAC officers arrested the two defendants on the spot immediately after receiving a corruption complaint.

Enquiries by the ICAC revealed that the defendants allegedly offered an envelope containing a wad of HK$100 and HK$500 banknotes to the bank employee.

HSBC has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.

The ICAC reminds the public not to bribe bank staff in exchange for its services. Should anyone comes across any suspicion of corruption, he or she should report to the ICAC immediately. ICAC 24-hour Report Corruption Hotline: 25 266 366.